Friday, January 18, 2008

Dion Takes Flack For Conservative Proposal

Certainly I don't know whether S. Dion was suggesting invigorated diplomatic efforts (through NATO?) in an effort to pressure Pakistan into closing its porous Afghan border, or whether he really did want to send in the troops. If the latter, he is not the first to make this proposal. The first was the late, unlamented Tory Defense Minister Gordon O'Connor. From the original, September 2006 Globe story:

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN --Canadian soldiers should join local forces fighting Taliban insurgents inside Pakistan,defense Minister Gordon O'Connor says, making a tentative first attempt at raising the explosive issue of foreign troops trespassersg on Pakistani territory.Most of the Globe piece is behind a fire-wall, but I wrote back then that:

One left-wing leader that I have some respect for is former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. This is what he said in Toronto yesterday : "The challenges are clear and profound," he added, as he urged Canada not to flinch in its fight against Islamic radicals in Afghanistan.

"We have to stand up and fight for our values as though they were at risk -- and they are," he said. "It would be nice if we didn't have to take sides, but we do and we need to stand up. Don't let the short-term comfort of our own lives displace what we know we should be doing."

Describing himself as a "fully paid-up fan of Canada," Mr. Blair praised Canadian soldiers who are fighting alongside British troops in southern Afghanistan and said they were serving "as noble a cause as I can think of."

Groups such as the Taliban thrive on carnage and terror, Mr. Blair said, and they will take any sign of weakness as a victory.

"We have to make the Taliban understand that our determination exceeds theirs. We need to be on our front foot in the fight on global terrorism. We can't expect a military solution, but when they do fight, we have to fight them back.

It's palpable proof that even left-of-center parties can act responsibly.

The Liberals just made a mistake picking Dion as leader. He's further left than the NDP on most key issues.

I'm not sure I would have paid $437.20 to hear him speak in TO but agree with him or not the guy was quite a leader.

Mr. O'Connor held meetings with several military and intelligence officialsin Islamabad yesterday in which he urged his counterparts to step up theiractions against the insurgents who emerge from hideouts in Pakistan toattack Canadian troops in southern Afghanistan.

"Among other things, I suggested that some Pakistan officers be stationedwith our troops in Kandahar and Canadian troops be stationed on the Pakistanside," Mr. O'Connor said afterward, in an interview with Associated Press ofPakistan. "This will assist in information gathering and intelligencesharing on both sides of the border."

BIG difference between O'Connors meeting in Pakistan and Dions news conference in Quebec.

Wilson has slithered over here after geting caught lying over at Farnwide to the effect that, "taxpayers are on the hook for an image consultant for Dion."Grow some balls, Willy and go own up and apologize for lying.

Wilson, who amputated his numbers a while back, is just like his leader. Even with the muddy footsteps and one glove sticking out of his pocket, will never admit to lying. He just points 'Over there!' and runs like a scared ferret. Only his boss waddles.